Lukashenko: we’ve never abandoned relations with West
Speaking to journalists after voting at his polling station on January 26th, President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko stated that Belarus has never abandoned relations with the West
When asked by German journalists about the prospects of relations with the West in case of victory in the election, Aleksandr Lukashenko replied, “We have never abandoned relations with the West, including with Germany. We have always been ready, but you don’t want that. So why should we bow down in front of you and crawl on our knees? You’re our neighbours, and neighbours aren’t chosen: this is the main thing in our policy.”
The President reminded that we once were fighting with Germans, “Of course, we haven’t forgotten what those fascists were doing here. We haven’t forgotten it. And it is very relevant on the eve of the 80th anniversary of the Victory over fascism. We have not forgotten it: every third person in Belarus died. But we have found an opportunity to liaise with you, then refused.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko is sure that everything can be returned, “We have always been ready to co-operate with the EU. And believe me, the main thing here is not the economy or trade-economic relations. Well, you broke the relations, but there will always be someone to fill a vacancy, so others arrived… If you want to have a dialogue with us, we are ready.”